1
|
Adamopoulos S, Bonios M, Ben Gal T, Gustafsson F, Abdelhamid M, Adamo M, Bayes-Genis A, Böhm M, Chioncel O, Cohen-Solal A, Damman K, Di Nora C, Hashmani S, Hill L, Jaarsma T, Jankowska E, Lopatin Y, Masetti M, Mehra MR, Milicic D, Moura B, Mullens W, Nalbantgil S, Panagiotou C, Piepoli M, Rakisheva A, Ristic A, Rivinius R, Savarese G, Thum T, Tocchetti CG, Tops LF, Van Laake LW, Volterrani M, Seferovic P, Coats A, Metra M, Rosano G. Right heart failure with left ventricular assist devices: Preoperative, perioperative and postoperative management strategies. A clinical consensus statement of the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the ESC. Eur J Heart Fail 2024. [PMID: 38853659 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.3323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Right heart failure (RHF) following implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a common and potentially serious condition with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations with an unfavourable effect on patient outcomes. Clinical scores that predict the occurrence of right ventricular (RV) failure have included multiple clinical, biochemical, imaging and haemodynamic parameters. However, unless the right ventricle is overtly dysfunctional with end-organ involvement, prediction of RHF post-LVAD implantation is, in most cases, difficult and inaccurate. For these reasons optimization of RV function in every patient is a reasonable practice aiming at preparing the right ventricle for a new and challenging haemodynamic environment after LVAD implantation. To this end, the institution of diuretics, inotropes and even temporary mechanical circulatory support may improve RV function, thereby preparing it for a better adaptation post-LVAD implantation. Furthermore, meticulous management of patients during the perioperative and immediate postoperative period should facilitate identification of RV failure refractory to medication. When RHF occurs late during chronic LVAD support, this is associated with worse long-term outcomes. Careful monitoring of RV function and characterization of the origination deficit should therefore continue throughout the patient's entire follow-up. Despite the useful information provided by the echocardiogram with respect to RV function, right heart catheterization frequently offers additional support for the assessment and optimization of RV function in LVAD-supported patients. In any patient candidate for LVAD therapy, evaluation and treatment of RV function and failure should be assessed in a multidimensional and multidisciplinary manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stamatis Adamopoulos
- Heart Failure and Transplant Units, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Michael Bonios
- Heart Failure and Transplant Units, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Tuvia Ben Gal
- Heart Failure Unit, Cardiology Department, Rabin Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Finn Gustafsson
- Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Magdy Abdelhamid
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Marianna Adamo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Bayes-Genis
- Heart Failure and Cardiac Regeneration Research Program, Health Sciences Research Institute Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Cardiovascular, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Cardiology Service, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Böhm
- Clinic for Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Angiology), Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ovidiu Chioncel
- Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases 'Prof C.C. Iliescu', Bucharest, Romania
- University of Medicine Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Kevin Damman
- University of Groningen, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Concetta Di Nora
- Cardiovascular Department, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Shahrukh Hashmani
- Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Loreena Hill
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Queen's University, Belfast, UK
| | - Tiny Jaarsma
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linkoping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Ewa Jankowska
- Institute of Heart Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Yury Lopatin
- Volgograd State Medical University, Regional Cardiology Centre, Volgograd, Russian Federation
| | - Marco Masetti
- Heart Failure and Transplant Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mandeep R Mehra
- Center for Advanced Heart Disease, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Davor Milicic
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Zagreb School of Medicine & University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Brenda Moura
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Sanem Nalbantgil
- Cardiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Chrysoula Panagiotou
- Heart Failure and Transplant Units, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Massimo Piepoli
- IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Amina Rakisheva
- Scientific Research Institute of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Arsen Ristic
- School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Rasmus Rivinius
- Department of Cardiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gianluigi Savarese
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, and Heart and Vascular and Neuro Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS) and Rebirth Center for Translational Regenerative Therapies, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), Interdepartmental Center of Clinical and Translational Sciences (CIRCET), Interdepartmental Hypertension Research Center (CIRIAPA), Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Laurens F Tops
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Linda W Van Laake
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Petar Seferovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Marco Metra
- Cardiology. ASST Spedali Civili and Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rosano
- St. George's Hospitals NHS Trust University of London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Scheel PJ, Cubero Salazar IM, Friedman S, Haber L, Mukherjee M, Kauffman M, Weller A, Alkhunaizi F, Gilotra NA, Sharma K, Kilic A, Hassoun PM, Cornwell WK, Tedford RJ, Hsu S. Occult right ventricular dysfunction and right ventricular-vascular uncoupling in left ventricular assist device recipients. J Heart Lung Transplant 2024; 43:594-603. [PMID: 38036276 PMCID: PMC10947813 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2023.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Detecting right heart failure post left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is challenging. Sensitive pressure-volume loop assessments of right ventricle (RV) contractility may improve our appreciation of post-LVAD RV dysfunction. METHODS Thirteen LVAD patients and 20 reference (non-LVAD) subjects underwent comparison of echocardiographic, right heart cath hemodynamic, and pressure-volume loop-derived assessments of RV contractility using end-systolic elastance (Ees), RV afterload by effective arterial elastance (Ea), and RV-pulmonary arterial coupling (ratio of Ees/Ea). RESULTS LVAD patients had lower RV Ees (0.20 ± 0.08 vs 0.30 ± 0.15 mm Hg/ml, p = 0.01) and lower RV Ees/Ea (0.37 ± 0.14 vs 1.20 ± 0.54, p < 0.001) versus reference subjects. Low RV Ees correlated with reduced RV septal strain, an indicator of septal contractility, in both the entire cohort (r = 0.68, p = 0.004) as well as the LVAD cohort itself (r = 0.78, p = 0.02). LVAD recipients with low RV Ees/Ea (below the median value) demonstrated more clinical heart failure (71% vs 17%, p = 0.048), driven by an inability to augment RV Ees (0.22 ± 0.11 vs 0.19 ± 0.02 mm Hg/ml, p = 0.95) to accommodate higher RV Ea (0.82 ± 0.38 vs 0.39 ± 0.08 mm Hg/ml, p = 0.002). Pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) best identified low baseline RV Ees/Ea (≤0.35) in LVAD patients ((area under the curve) AUC = 0.80); during the ramp study, change in PAPi also correlated with change in RV Ees/Ea (r = 0.58, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS LVAD patients demonstrate occult intrinsic RV dysfunction. In the setting of excess RV afterload, LVAD patients lack the RV contractile reserve to maintain ventriculo-vascular coupling. Depression in RV contractility may be related to LVAD left ventricular unloading, which reduces septal contractility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Scheel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ilton M Cubero Salazar
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Samuel Friedman
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Leora Haber
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Monica Mukherjee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Matthew Kauffman
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alexandra Weller
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Fatimah Alkhunaizi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nisha A Gilotra
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kavita Sharma
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ahmet Kilic
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Paul M Hassoun
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - William K Cornwell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Ryan J Tedford
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Steven Hsu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Miller T, Lang FM, Rahbari A, Theodoropoulos K, Topkara VK. Right heart failure after durable left ventricular assist device implantation. Expert Rev Med Devices 2024; 21:197-206. [PMID: 38214584 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2024.2305362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Right heart failure (RHF) is a well-known complication after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and portends increased morbidity and mortality. Understanding the mechanisms and predictors of RHF in this clinical setting may offer ideas for early identification and aggressive management to minimize poor outcomes. A variety of medical therapies and mechanical circulatory support options are currently available for the management of post-LVAD RHF. AREAS COVERED We reviewed the existing definitions of RHF including its potential mechanisms in the context of durable LVAD implantation and currently available medical and device therapies. We performed a literature search using PubMed (from 2010 to 2023). EXPERT OPINION RHF remains a common complication after LVAD implantation. However, existing knowledge gaps limit clinicians' ability to adequately address its consequences. Early identification and management are crucial to reducing the risk of poor outcomes, but existing risk stratification tools perform poorly and have limited clinical applicability. This is an area ripe for investigation with the potential for major improvements in identification and targeted therapy in an effort to improve outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamari Miller
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frederick M Lang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ashkon Rahbari
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kleanthis Theodoropoulos
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Veli K Topkara
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Balcioglu O, Ozgocmen C, Ozsahin DU, Yagdi T. The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in the Prediction of Right Heart Failure after Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: A Comprehensive Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:380. [PMID: 38396419 PMCID: PMC10888030 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14040380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the most challenging and prevalent side effects of LVAD implantation is that of right heart failure (RHF) that may develop afterwards. The purpose of this study is to review and highlight recent advances in the uses of AI in evaluating RHF after LVAD implantation. The available literature was scanned using certain key words (artificial intelligence, machine learning, left ventricular assist device, prediction of right heart failure after LVAD) was scanned within Pubmed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. Conventional risk scoring systems were also summarized, with their pros and cons being included in the results section of this study in order to provide a useful contrast with AI-based models. There are certain interesting and innovative ML approaches towards RHF prediction among the studies reviewed as well as more straightforward approaches that identified certain important predictive clinical parameters. Despite their accomplishments, the resulting AUC scores were far from ideal for these methods to be considered fully sufficient. The reasons for this include the low number of studies, standardized data availability, and lack of prospective studies. Another topic briefly discussed in this study is that relating to the ethical and legal considerations of using AI-based systems in healthcare. In the end, we believe that it would be beneficial for clinicians to not ignore these developments despite the current research indicating more time is needed for AI-based prediction models to achieve a better performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Balcioglu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, TRNC Mersin 10, Nicosia 99138, Turkey;
- Operational Research Center in Healthcare, Near East University, TRNC Mersin 10, Nicosia 99138, Turkey;
| | - Cemre Ozgocmen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Near East University, TRNC Mersin 10, Nicosia 99138, Turkey;
| | - Dilber Uzun Ozsahin
- Operational Research Center in Healthcare, Near East University, TRNC Mersin 10, Nicosia 99138, Turkey;
- Medical Diagnostic Imaging Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Tahir Yagdi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Schramm R, Kirchner J, Ibrahim M, Rojas SV, Morshuis M, Rudolph V, Gummert JF, Fox H. Pulmonary Vascular Resistance to Predict Right Heart Failure in Patients Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation. J Clin Med 2024; 13:462. [PMID: 38256596 PMCID: PMC10816947 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Right heart failure (RHF) is associated with poor outcomes, especially in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of RHF after LVAD implantation. Of 129 consecutive patients (mean age 56 ± 11 years, 89% male) undergoing LVAD implantation, 34 developed RHF. Compared to patients without RHF, those with RHF required longer invasive mechanical ventilation and had longer intensive care unit and hospital stays (p < 0.01). One-year all-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with versus without RHF after LVAD implantation (29.4% vs. 1.2%; hazard ratio 35.4; 95% confidence interval 4.5-277; p < 0.001). Mortality was highest in patients with delayed RHF after initial LVAD-only implantation (66.7%). Patients who did versus did not develop RHF had significantly higher baseline pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR; 404 ± 375 vs. 234 ± 162 dyn/s/cm5; p = 0.01). PVR > 250 dyn/s/cm5 was a significant predictor of survival in patients with RHF after LVAD implantation. These data confirm the negative impact of RHF on morbidity and mortality after LVAD implantation. Preoperative PVR > 250 dyn/s/cm5 determined using invasive right heart catheterization was an independent predictor of developing RHF after LVAD implantation, and of subsequent mortality, and could be used for risk stratification in the setting for deciding between single or biventricular support strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- René Schramm
- Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany; (R.S.); (M.I.); (S.V.R.); (M.M.); (J.F.G.)
| | - Johannes Kirchner
- Clinic for General and Interventional Cardiology/Angiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany; (J.K.); (V.R.)
| | - Mohamad Ibrahim
- Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany; (R.S.); (M.I.); (S.V.R.); (M.M.); (J.F.G.)
| | - Sebastian V. Rojas
- Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany; (R.S.); (M.I.); (S.V.R.); (M.M.); (J.F.G.)
| | - Michiel Morshuis
- Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany; (R.S.); (M.I.); (S.V.R.); (M.M.); (J.F.G.)
| | - Volker Rudolph
- Clinic for General and Interventional Cardiology/Angiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany; (J.K.); (V.R.)
| | - Jan F. Gummert
- Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany; (R.S.); (M.I.); (S.V.R.); (M.M.); (J.F.G.)
| | - Henrik Fox
- Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany; (R.S.); (M.I.); (S.V.R.); (M.M.); (J.F.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rajapreyar I, Soliman O, Brailovsky Y, Tedford RJ, Gibson G, Mohacsi P, Hajduczok AG, Tchantchaleishvili V, Wieselthaler G, Rame JE, Caliskan K. Late Right Heart Failure After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Contemporary Insights and Future Perspectives. JACC. HEART FAILURE 2023; 11:865-878. [PMID: 37269258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2023.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Late right heart failure (RHF) is increasingly recognized in patients with long-term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support and is associated with decreased survival and increased incidence of adverse events such as gastrointestinal bleeding and stroke. Progression of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction to clinical syndrome of late RHF in patients supported with LVAD is dependent on the severity of pre-existing RV dysfunction, persistent or worsening left- or right-sided valvular heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, inadequate or excessive left ventricular unloading, and/or progression of the underlying cardiac disease. RHF likely represents a continuum of risk with early presentation and progression to late RHF. However, de novo RHF develops in a subset of patients leading to increased diuretic requirement, arrhythmias, renal and hepatic dysfunction, and heart failure hospitalizations. The distinction between isolated late RHF and RHF due to left-sided contributions is lacking in registry studies and should be the focus of future registry data collection. Potential management strategies include optimization of RV preload and afterload, neurohormonal blockade, LVAD speed optimization, and treatment of concomitant valvular disease. In this review, the authors discuss definition, pathophysiology, prevention, and management of late RHF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indranee Rajapreyar
- Division of Cardiology, Jefferson Heart Institute, Sidney Kimmel School of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Osama Soliman
- Discipline of Cardiology, University Hospital Galway, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Yevgeniy Brailovsky
- Division of Cardiology, Jefferson Heart Institute, Sidney Kimmel School of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ryan J Tedford
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Gregory Gibson
- Division of Cardiology, Jefferson Heart Institute, Sidney Kimmel School of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paul Mohacsi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Alexander G Hajduczok
- Division of Cardiology, Jefferson Heart Institute, Sidney Kimmel School of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vakhtang Tchantchaleishvili
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Georg Wieselthaler
- Division of Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - J Eduardo Rame
- Division of Cardiology, Jefferson Heart Institute, Sidney Kimmel School of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kadir Caliskan
- Thoraxcenter, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|